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Raleigh BRT: Equitable Development Around Transit

Last updated Sep. 06, 2019 - 10:10 am

The Wake County Transit Plan calls for bus rapid transit (BRT) to connect Raleigh and the region. Bus rapid transit service will serve existing neighborhoods and shape future growth. The Equitable Development around Transit plan is an effort to consider future growth around transit and ensure that the benefits created by transit investment are shared broadly.

Bus rapid transit can:

Connect people to jobs, education resources, and other opportunities

Support walkable places that support both housing and commercial destinations

Improve air quality by reducing the number of vehicles on the road

Save money for households who drive less or opt out of car ownership altogether

Fully achieving these benefits means thinking about areas around transit stations. The Equitable Development process will focus on how and to what extent the city grows around transit.

What is equitable development around transit?

Equity and sustainability are core goals of this project. The BRT service and this planning process are intended to both serve existing neighborhoods and shape future growth.

Equity

To promote fairness in the development around BRT routes, this plan aims to:

Maintain and enhance housing affordability

Ensure accessibility to service from existing residential areas

Minimize displacement from rising real estate values

Increase ridership

Provide economic development opportunities

Sustainability

Investing in transit and encouraging thoughtful development around transit stations can:

Reduce vehicle miles traveled

Reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants

Support active and healthy lifestyles.

Reduce overall household expenses

Want to help plan to maximize the benefits of Bus Rapid Transit?

This process involves broad community discussion about how to maximize improved transit while delivering an equitable and sustainable solution. We want to hear you as we plan together.

In early fall, there will be in-person and online workshops. City staff will present to Citizen Advisory Commissions and other community groups between now and September. If you’d like us to speak with your group, reach out to project manager Jason Hardin at 919-703-7077.

Want to learn more? Listen to a presentation that sets out the project’s goals and looks at examples of equitable development from other cities.